ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Celebrates 15 Years of Advancing the Energy Transition in West Africa

Strategic Insights -

The ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) marked its 15th anniversary with a landmark event in Praia, Cabo Verde, from July 28 to 31. The celebration brought together representatives from the National Focal Institutions, ECOWAS Commission, Partners, Experts, and ECOWAS Specialized Agencies and Directorates. The event aimed to recognize the milestones achieved by ECREEE since its inception in 2010 and define strategic priorities for the years ahead, focusing on energy access, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and regional integration.

Key Takeaways:

  • ECREEE has played a pivotal role in advancing the energy transition in West Africa over the past 15 years, contributing to the adoption of landmark regional policies, including the ECOWAS Renewable Energy Policy and the ECOWAS Energy Efficiency Policy.
  • The capacity of photovoltaic solar power plants connected to the grid has increased from 5 MW in 2010 to 1 GW in 2025, with a projection of 5 GW in 2030.
  • ECREEE has led initiatives in key areas such as clean cooking, e-mobility, sustainable energy skills certification system, gender mainstreaming, and quality infrastructure for solar thermal and photovoltaic systems.
  • The Centre has promoted the scaling up of Nexus Energy-Water-Food projects and the deployment of clean energy mini-grids across all Member States.
  • ECREEE has strengthened its collaboration ties with strategic partners, including AECID, GIZ, UNIDO, ADA, IDRC, European Union, RVO, AfDB, WASCAL, UNDP, World Bank, GGGI, EBID, JICA, IRENA, and ISA.

Statistics:

  • 15 years of advanced energy transition in West Africa
  • 5 MW capacity of photovoltaic solar power plants connected to the grid in 2010
  • 1 GW capacity of photovoltaic solar power plants connected to the grid in 2025
  • 5 GW projected capacity of photovoltaic solar power plants connected to the grid in 2030
  • Adoption of ECOWAS Renewable Energy Policy and ECOWAS Energy Efficiency Policy
  • Scaling up of Nexus Energy-Water-Food projects
  • Deployment of clean energy mini-grids across all Member States
  • Strengthened collaboration ties with 15 strategic partners

Sources:

  • ECREEE Press Release
  • The New Dawn, July 31, 2025